Rising Stars Shine Bright: Meet the 2024 CMA New Artist of the Year Nominees

As the country music industry grows, it embraces new waves of artists redefining genres. Fresh talent pushing forward and proving that their outstanding and unique music styles show that the country music industry has a bright future ahead. Remarkable artists such as Megan Moroney Shaboozey, Zach Top, Nate Smith, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Baliey Zimmerman have demonstrated that their unique and powerful music deeply connected with their listeners, proving they are well-deserved artists. As the CMA Awards approached mid-November, these artists were nominated for New Artist of the Year. This proves that each individual has exceptional talent that makes a difference in country music. We will dive into each artist and what makes them and their music special, counting to push the boundaries and exploring different ways to stand out.

Photos Via Artist's Facebook: Zach Top Citizen Kane Wayne | Megan Moroney: CeCe Dawson Mitchell Tenpenny: Zach Pigg

Megan Moroney 

Photo Courtesy of Megan Moroney on Facebook Photo By CeCe Dawson

Megan Moroney, 26, the up-and-coming country artist has taken the industry by storm. Moroney captured the public's eye with her single Tennessee Orange. Following her success, Moroney came out with her debut album, Lucky, which showed many of her fans what an amazing artist and how astounding her sound is. Well known for her specific blend of heartfelt lyrics and the fresh sound she brings. Moroney has a special place in her music where she sheds light on the emotional value of self-image and social pressures which speaks and connects with her growing fan base. Her touching music beams especially with the recent album she has released, Am I Okay?, which has become a hit all over streaming platforms.  

She continues to break wind as Moroney has been nominated for New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards this November. Her success has grown and spread since her hit single, which allowed her to perform her music at Stagecoach, CMA Fest, and join Kenny Chesney's The Sun Goes Down Tour. With the spotlight on her Moroney, she announced that she would be going on tour from October 2024 to September 2025. As she continues with the rest of her career, she is shown beyond doubt to be one of the most promising new talents in the industry. 

Shaboozey

Photo Courtesy of Shaboozey on Facebook

The new rising country star, Shaboozey, with an eccentric sound to his music, which has formed buzz around the beginning of his career. Shaboozey is becoming a hit on all streaming platforms and services such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and much more. Shaboozey's success with his hit song, A Bar Song (Tipsy), gained popularity with the media, and fans are raving about his sense of style with the new direction he is taking in his music. He is known for his unique music styles in blending genres which he incorporates hip-hop, rock, and traditional country. 

Shaboozey's creativity has earned him a place to be nominated for New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards. As his popularity continues he is preparing to release his sophomore album in 2025 which is creating a buzz in itself to see how he takes his new wave of music. Get ready for an exciting album release from Shaboozey and his sense of redefining country music.  

Nate Smith 

Photo Courtesy of Nate Smith on Facebook

Nate Smith is a rising country star who continues to impact the music industry with his vulnerability and emotional lyrics that his fans can resonate with. Smith's single, Whiskey on You, has repeatedly topped the country charts and gained national recognition. Smith is willing to reveal his raw emotion and can connect with the listeners. He continues to define his moment in this career by performing at festivals such as Stagecoach and CMA Fest which the audience becomes in awe of his irresistible voice and sincere music. Fans tend to compare Smith with Chris Stapleton for the presence he holds when he performs and how touching his music can be. 

Smith has been nominated for New Artist of the Year at the CMA Award. With the light on Smith, he has released his newest album, California Gold, rapidly gaining attention and becoming a success in his career. Amongst the success Smith has already created he will continue to have moments in his career that he will be redefining and will repeatedly become a rapid rise in country music.  

Mitchell Tenpenny 

Mitchell Tenpenny Photo By Zach Pigg

Rising star, Mitchell Tenpenny, has created a successful path with his music and has solidified his spot in using an extraordinary blend with influences of country and pop when showcasing his music to listeners. Tenpenny is known for his hit single, Drunk Me, which went platinum and earned the No. 2 spot on Billboard Country Airplay Charts. Tenpenny has recently released his junior album, The 3rd, which has climbed the chart on Billboard Country Albums and iTunes charts. This goes to show that Tenpenny’s craft for music truly resonates with his listeners and how organic his sound is to many. 

More moments to come for Tenpenny in defining his career but one that has stood out is his duet with Chris Young. Not only does he have a unique sense of deliverance to his music, but fans continue to speak about how electrifying and energetic his live performances are. Time and time again Tenpenny has deserved a spot to be nominated as New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards this November. Without a doubt, his fan base continues to grow rapidly and is proving that the limits for country music are reachable and will push his limits forward while incorporating his sense of style with the music he creates. 

Zach Top

Photo Credit: Citizen Kane Wayne and Sacks And Co

Making a timeless touch and powerful mix to country music, Zach Top continues to make waves in the industry. He has gained popularity quickly and his sense of style goes unnoticed with a fresh, unique edge and contemporary add-ons to the music he pursues to create. Top’s single that put him on blast, Like It Ain’t No Thing, continues to gain popularity but not only does it reveal what type of artist he makes up of himself. With the success of his music, Top has released multiple albums but his latest project has fans and critics raving, Cold Beer & Country music, displays the distinctive storytelling and the original sound that he brings to his music. He also showcases his charisma by performing live where his impressive vocals shine with his unique music style. 

One of the biggest highlights of Top’s career is he previously performed at the Grand Ole Opry, which this specific venue is known for its esteemed value throughout the country music industry. Known for his respectable character in the industry which has allowed him the opportunity to earn a spot to perform at many music festivals. Top has been nominated for New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards, but as his career continues his wave-making lifestyle will undoubtedly create a brighter future for him. 

Bailey Zimmerman 

Photo Courtesy of Bailey Zimmerman on Facebook

Bailey Zimmerman is a frequent talk within the country music industry, he’s capturing audiences with his powerful performances due to his admirable voice, soulful music, and heartwarming. Zimmerman shows that the music he creates stirs a buzz including his song, Fall in Love, which quickly climbed the charts once it was released. With millions of streams and with his accelerated success Zimmerman has shown that he is a pristine artist to obtain him a spot to perform at major music festivals at Stagecoach and Country Thunder and has continually created a massive buzz for his career. 

Fans rave of how sensational his live performances create for the audience with his high energy, passion, and raw emotion. His ability to cement a place for New Artist of the Year at The CMA solidifies his career path with nothing but success. Fans are becoming eager to see what the next steps are for Zimmerman’s career. From what we can see he continues to make a wave and undoubtedly become a success in future projects he creates.

Country music continues to evolve every year, and the success of these artists has shown that they are well deserving to be in the place they are currently in. Not only have these artists been recognized for being remarkable but being able to be nominated at the biggest award show in country music provides a whole new perspective for each individual. Such as coming out with groundbreaking albums, sold-out tours, and being nominated at award ceremonies, each artist continues to create a brighter future for country music. As time gets closer fans are highly anticipating the upcoming CMA Awards, it is a chance to look back and see how 2024 newest releases shaped these artists and how they continue to push the boundary further. Make sure to tune in live on November 20 at 5 PM PST, to see which rising star wins the New Artist of the Year.